Electric switch



Nov. 2, 1937.

H. B. WHITE 2,098,077

ELECTRIC SWITCH Original Filed Aug. 8, 1934 Z SheetS-Sheet l m samr/m/ my. a -v Harryfl. While Fly i MY Nov. 2, 1937.

H. B. WHITE ELECTRIC SWITCH Original Filed Aug. 8,- 1934 LEADS 3 MOTOR 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 CONNECTION s 8 I LINE INVENTORS fian fl While ATTO R N EY Patented New, 2 31937 UNETED z ttt il ELEGTIRIC SWITCH Harry E. White, Canton, (Ohio, assignor to The lllloover (Company, North Canton, Ohio, a corporation of (Ohio Application August 8,

1934, Serial No. 338,918

Renewed September 2, 1936 l Claims.

The present invention relates to manually op-= erable electric switches. More specifically the invention comprises a manually operable electric switch adapted for use with an electric tool of the portable type and which is formed of a minimum number oi parts, is simple and strong, and is economically manufactured.

It is an object oi the present invention to provide a new and improved electric switch. it is another object of the invention to provide an improved manually operable two position electric switch. A further object is the provision of an improved electric switch construction in which the flying contacts are carried by, and actuated by, a new and improved mechanism. A still fur ther object is the provision of an improved insulating body for a manually operable electric switch.

Referring now to the drawings in which a preierred embodiment of the invention is disclosed:

Figure l is a sectional view of a small tool handle showing the switch constructed in accordance with the present invention positioned therein and connected to current-carrying means;

Figure 2 is an enlarged side elevation of the switch constructed in accordance with the present invention;

Figure 3 is a bottom view of the switch;

30 Figure 4 is a section through the switch upon the line ti-d of Figure 2;

Figure 5 is a section through the switch body upon the line of Figure 2;

Figure 6 is a fragmentary elevation illustrating the switch lever positioned at the critical point at which the flying contact changes its position;

Figure '7 is a view similar to Figure 6 but with the lever and flying tumbler moved to the closed circuit position;

Figure 8 is an end view of the switch construction;

Figure 9 is a diagrammatic illustration of the electrical connection of the switch.

The switch constructed in accordance with the present invention comprises a rectangular body l of insulation material, such as a phenol condensation product. Body l is formed centrally with a recessed cavity or chamber 2 which is entirely open on one side and is only open at the opposite side of the body by a relatively small arcuate chamber 3. At its top and center, in both chamber proper 2 and small chamber 3, the cavity is formed with smooth arcuate surfaces indicated by the reference characters a, 6 there being a raised shoulder portion 5 therebetween. These arcuate surfaces serve as guideways for the flying roller contacts 6, 6 formed of a single metallic member having rounded cylindrical ends inter-connected by a central metallic pin 7.

At one end of the guideways i, i are positioned stationary contact seats 3, 8 which receive the flying contacts 6, t in one of their end positions. Contact seats 8, 6 are formed integrally on terminal plates or bars 9, 9 on the opposite sides of the body 5, being suitably secured to the body by transversely extended rivets it, ill. Each terminal bar 9 is provided at its outer end immediately adjacent the end of body 9 with a transversely extending screw terminal M. A third terminal screw 92 is provided at the same end of the block which is unconnected to any contacts of the switch.

The flying contacts 6, t are carried by a V- shaped spring it having two spaced legs joined by a transverse connection, each leg being formed as a spiral turn at substantially its mid-point, and the free end of each leg being Wrapped around the connecting pin 3 of the contacts 6, 6..

The actuating lever M of the switch is preferably made of insulating material and is pivoted at the bottom of cavity 2 by means of a headed stud l5, being spaced from the adjacent body wall by an interposed washer it. Actuating lever it is slotted at ii on the top of its main body portion to receive the transverse connecting portion of the spring 53. To limit the pivotal movement of the lever outstanding shoulders i8, I8 are arranged upon opposite sides of slot ii so that they contact inwardly extending integral stops i9, i9 formed on the body l. The pivotal movement allowed lever i l by the two shoulders 58, i8 is such that, with the flying contacts in either end position, slot ii is moved sufficiently to compress the spring it and direct it. so as to move the flying contacts from their original position to the opposite end of their guideway. In the switch constructed in accordance with this invention the flying contacts 6, 8 are connected to the actuating lever M solely thru the compression spring I 3. As is clearly seen in Figures 2, 6, and 7 central cavity 2 is so shaped as to accommodate the spring I 3 at all times during the movement of the switch and in all of its positions.

As the mechanism of the switch is entirely exposed upon one side, and partially so upon the other, a protecting insulating sheath 2!] is provided which overlies the top of body i and extends along both sides thereof, and beyond the terminal end thereof to cover those elements. The sheath is secured to the body by a transversely extending rivet member 2| at the end spaced from the terminals so that it may be folded up to permit of the attachment of leads thereto. A centrally grooved resilient spacer member 22 is seated within an opening 23 in the top of the sheath and there are provided upon the bottom edge of body 2, at the sides of the manually operableiswitch I4, integral bosses 24, 24 which are adapted to seat in suitable openings and to cooperate with the spacer element 22 to seat the switch relative in a supporting body.

Referring now to Figures 1 and 9, in particular, the switch constructed in accordance with the present invention is shown operatively connected. The switch is positioned within a tool handle 25 which is of a diameter such that the switch body I can just seat therein by compressing the resilient spacer member 22 when the bosses 24, 24 are positioned within suitable apertures 26, 26 in the adjacent wall of the handle. The incoming power leads 21, 21 have passed through the removable cover plate 28, which forms the portion of the handle adjacent one side of the switch, in the cord strain relief 29. One of the incoming leads 2'! has been connected to a terminal screw H while the remaining lead has been connected to the unconnected terminal screw l2 to which is also connected a lead 28 which is ordinarily connected to the electric motor of the tool. The return lead 28 has been connected to the remaining terminal screw II. The electric circuit to the machine is obviously closed when the flying contacts 6, 6 seat upon the stationary seats 8, 8 and electric current flows therebetween. Pivotal movement of the manually operable lever l4 results in the compression and over-center movement of the spring [3 and the movement of the flying contacts 6, 6

ing said contacts against said guideways and forming the sole retaining and actuating means for said contact, said lever being pivotable between positions to snap said contacts between their end positions.

2. In an electric switch, an insulating body formed with a cavity having one open side, stationary contacts at one side of said cavity, a pivoted lever at the bottom of said cavity, a flying contact movable across said cavity to contact said contacts, a V-shaped spring formed centrally with a coil connecting said handle to said flying contact and forming the sole retaining and actuating means for said contact, said lever being movable to place said spring under compression to snap said contact to a second position.

3. In an electric switch, an insulating body formed with a centrally located cavity open on one side, a lever pivoted to said body, a flying contact and a spring connecting said contact to said lever, all positioned in said cavity with said lever extending therefrom, said body formed as a guideway for said flying contact on one side of said cavity, an insulating sheath enclosing two sides and one edge of said body and overlying said cavity, means securing said sheath to said body, conductor receiving terminals carried by said body and covered by said sheath, said.-

sheath being deformable to uncover said terminals.

4. In an electric switch, a one-piece insulating body formed with acentral cavity entirely open on one side, partially open on the opposite side, and open along an edge, said body being formed as a guideway for a flying contact opposite said edge, a stationary contact carried by said body, a flying contact movable along said guideway and adapted to contact said stationary contact in one position, a manually operable lever extended into said cavity at said open edge and pivoted on said body, and a compression spring connected at one end to said flying contact and at the other end to said lever and adapted to be moved over center by the pivoting of said lever to move said flying contact with a snap action, said spring means being the sole means of retaining said flying contact on said guideway and of connecting it to said actuating lever.

HARRY B. Wm. 

